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Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Outside of Hannah And
Her Sisters (1986) and You Can Count
On Me (2000), I can’t think of too many films that capture a realistic
sibling relationship as honestly as The
Skeleton Twins does.

I’m not sure if the credit goes to the script or the actors,
but kudos to whoever paired Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader. Their bonding on SNL surely aided their effortless
onscreen chemistry. Comedians like Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler and Jim Carrey
have all pulled off dramas with some degree of believability, but Hader is 100%
authentic as his complicated character, Milo. And Wigg, as his sister Maggie.
is infectious onscreen.

The script, about siblings grappling with long-festering family
issues, is familiar territory. And the ending is more from Hollywood than real
life. But these two actors elevate this to a film worth a look.

Simply
put:Wigg and
Hader elevate this drama. Please note use of the word “drama.”

Award
potential: Would love to see Hader enter the Golden Globe competition for
this surprising work.

The
ten buck review: Worth five bucks. Rent this at home to enjoy the
performances, but skip this for your big Saturday night out

Guardians of the Galaxy was the movie of the summer and The Fault In Our Stars was the nice surprise
of the summer, but the best movie of the summer was one that took 12 summers to
make.

Richard Linklater shot Boyhood over a dozen years to tell the
story of a Texas kid named Mason (Ellar
Coltrane)through
multiple moments in his life. Unlike any movie I’ve seen, Mason (ages 6-18)
grows up in front of the audience — as do his parents (Patricia Arquette and
Ethan Hawke).

I became so interested in
this family that I wished it kept going past the indulgent two hour and 45
minute running time.

Last summer, Linklater
impressed many critics with Before Midnight — but not me. Everything I hated
about that films' impressive but too-talky dialogue, casual pacing and its commentary of
people growing in different paths, is exactly what works so
well here. Bravo.

Simply put: One of the best movies of the year. Plan to slink into the
chair for 3 hours.

Award potential: Despite its summer release date, it’s still on the short
list for Best Director and Best Picture. Patricia Arquette is a serious
contender for a nomination and perhaps a win in the Best Supporting Actress
Category. Ethan Hawke’s spot will be harder to secure, but he’s fantastic in
this film too.